Shloka 4.50.6

ऋक्षबिलप्रवेशः — Entry into the Rikshabilam Cave

Devanagari script

परस्परेण हनुमा नन्योन्यस्याविदूरतः।गजो गवाक्षो गवयश्शरभो गन्धमादनः।।4.50.5।।मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव सुषेणो जाम्बवान्नल:।अङ्गदो युवराजश्च तारश्च वनगोचरः।।4.50.6।।गिरिजालावृतान्देशान्मार्गित्वा दक्षिणां दिशम्।विचिन्वन्तस्ततस्तत्र ददृशुर्विवृतं बिलम्।।4.50.7।।दुर्गमृक्षबिलं नाम दानवेनाभिरक्षितम्।

Transliteration

tato hanūmān giri-sannikāśaḥ kṛtāñjalis tām abhivādya vṛddhām | papraccha kā tvaṃ bhavanaṃ bilaṃ ca ratnāni cemāni vadasva kasya ||

Translation

Then Hanumān—mountain-like in stature—greeted the aged lady with joined palms and asked: “Who are you? Whose are this dwelling, this cave, and these jewels? Please tell me.”

Context

Having explored the region surrounded by a network of mountains, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sarabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda and also Dvivida, Sushena, Jambavan, Angada the heir apparent, Tara the forestdweller staying close to one another and Hanuman too not far from the others searched in the southern direction. While they were exploring, they saw the mouth of a large cave called Rikshabilam, which had its mouth open, guarded by a demon.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• vṛddhā (aged lady)
• bila (cave)
• bhavana (dwelling/mansion)
• ratna (jewels)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Maryādā (proper conduct) grounded in Satya: Hanumān first offers respectful salutation to an elder-ascetic and then seeks truthful information about ownership, avoiding wrongdoing in an unknown domain.

What is the narrative situation?

In the cave filled with wealth, Hanumān formally greets the elderly ascetic and asks her identity and the ownership of the cave, dwelling, and treasures.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility with discernment—reverence shown through folded hands, paired with clear questioning to act righteously.